Do you consider that you are Spanish resident and able to avail of all the entitlements accessible? It is imperative that you now make a checklist and enlighten yourself as to the actually meaning of your personal resident status. Are you in possession of the new A4 size green document or the old resident card?  This is the merely the first stage as there other compliances to consider. Are you aware that if Spain is not your fiscal residence and therefore also registered on the census at your town hall, that you will not be at liberty to avail of the numerous reductions and remunerations available to you.

Some disadvantages of not being fully domiciled include; taxes on the sale of your home. The tax authorities will withhold three percent of the total sales price of your property. You may be shocked to discover that the attractive reductions on inheritance taxes may not apply to you, your spouse or family.

The expatriate community can be assured that Spain is slowly but surely organising the various government departments so as to be able to claim the taxes owed to them.  Personally speaking I believe that non residents who pay their taxes are penalised in ways that the resident is not. I have often asked lawyers to take on cases so that a precedent can be set. For those residents and non residents who have not been presenting their annual tax declarations. It would be wise to start now.

Most pensioners are by now aware of the usefulness of the sixty five cards. Anyone who has not requested theirs should do so now. This card is not provided in relation to your earnings but anyone on a low income can apply for the gold version.